Church of St Mary Magdalene, Chewton Mendip

The church has Saxon origins, with the register commencing in 560. Building work being undertaken in the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th centuries with restoration in 1865. The church was a Saxon minster with subordinate chapels at Ston Easton, Emborough, Farrington Gurney and Paulton. The church was granted by William the Conqueror to the French Jumièges Abbey. After the confiscation of alien churches Henry V gave it to the Priory of Sheen in Surrey which held it until the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Wade and Wade in their 1929 book "Somerset" described the church as a "singularly interesting church, which possesses one of the most stately towers in the county". Their description…

The church is made of Lias Stone, with a 126 ft tower of Doulting Stone which was "unfinished" in 1541. The tower, which dates from around 1540, contains a bell dating from 1753 and made by Thomas Bilbie of the Bilbie family. In addition, there is a peal of eight bells by Taylor's of Loughborough. Near the altar, there is a stone seat for criminals taking sanctuary in the church.